State allots $1M for campus incubator at MC-Germantown

The Life Sciences Incubator on the Germantown campus of Montgomery College neared completion earlier this month with the approval of $1 million from the state Board of Public Works for the project.

The money will be used to reimburse Montgomery County for money spent on construction and renovation of the building that houses the incubator, said Sarah Miller, a business development specialist with the county's Department of Economic Development.

In a written statement, two upcounty state legislators who helped shepherd the money through the approval process cited the incubator's importance to the state and local economy. State Sen. Robert J. Garagiola (D-Dist. 15) of Germantown called the money "an essential investment in the Life Sciences Incubator (that) will benefit both students and businesses and secure Montgomery County's preeminence in the bioscience industry."

State Sen. Nancy J. King (D-Dist. 39) of Montgomery Village said the incubator is "vital to providing an increased workforce for the continued growth of the bioscience and biotechnology industry in Maryland."

The grand opening of the 67,000 square foot building on Goldenrod Lane is scheduled for Oct. 20. The first floor, occupied mostly by classrooms serving Montgomery College students, opened earlier this month. The incubator, located on the second floor, offers space and other amenities for 20 to 30 new businesses specializing in biotechnology and information technology.

The total cost of renovating the space used by the incubator was $6.9 million, according to the Maryland Economic Development Corp.